Cheerwine, a popular southeastern, cherry-flavored soft drink, has made its way to Florida.
The Carolina Beverage Corp.'s soft drink appears in grocery stores, convenience stores and now, on the UF campus.
In January, Carolina Beverage Corp. partnered up with Pepsi Beverage Co. in hopes of widening its distribution to all 50 states by its 100th anniversary in 2017.
"The success we have had in Florida is tremendous," said Robbie Jones, the regional sales manager for the brand in Florida.
He said the official launch of Cheerwine distribution in Florida began Oct. 17.
UF is the only location in the state to offer a fountain version of the soda.
Since last Monday, fountain Cheerwine can be found at the Gator Corner Dining Center, and by the end of this week it will also be dispensed at Fresh Food Company.
The bottled version of the soda can be found at UF convenience stores like Little Hall Express and Graham Oasis.
"We wanted to see if there is a demand for a fountain version of Cheerwine with college students, and the University of Florida is our test school," Jones said.
Steven Klepac, 19, a UF forest resources and conservation major and sales associate at Graham Oasis, said that Cheerwine has been moderately popular with students, which costs about $2 a bottle.
So far, UF convenience stores offer only the glass bottle and not the canned version of the soda. On-campus stores carry both the regular and diet options.
Cheerwine was originally created in 1917 in Salisbury, N.C., by general store owner L.D. Peeler.
Jones said the flavor in the soft drink has been the same since it was first made almost 100 years ago.
It includes real cane sugar but no cola.
James Jackson, 21, a UF criminology senior, said he first discovered Cheerwine when he was on tour with his band last year.
"I'm really excited that now I can buy Cheerwine in Gainesville," Jackson said.
"Now, I don't have to bribe people to bring me back a case when they go out of state."
